ONE RED - Rural Community Solar Program

Concept

The Rural Community Solar Program provides funding for rural communities to install solar arrays at critical infrastructure sites such as municipal water and wastewater facilities. NDEE anticipates funding eight to 20 community projects. ONE RED will fund 100% of project costs.

Funding available: $16 million

Greenhous gas reductions by 2023: 9,000 metric tons

Many of Nebraska’s rural communities operate their own drinking water or wastewater treatment facilities. With smaller populations, funding the operation of these facilities can be difficult. By installing solar arrays to generate electricity, participating communities can see a reduced energy cost while reducing fossil-fuel generation of grid electricity. Facilities will remain connected to the grid to ensure continuity of operation in the event the solar array is temporarily offline.

The solar arrays are expected to range in size from 50 to 500 kilowatts (kW) with the goal of adding total new capacity of 4 MW by 2030.

Eligibility

Minimum eligibility requirements include: 

• The community must be considered to be in a low-income and disadvantaged area of Nebraska, as defined by CJEST and EJScreen
• The community must provide access to the land
• The community must commit to maintenance of the arrays
• The community must be in compliance with all Nebraska environmental laws and with the Department’s regulations and permits at all Nebraska locations

How to apply

Application details about this grant will be made available as the program is developed. Thanks for your patience!

Additional Information

More details about this program can be found in the workplan document attached at the top of this page. The full workplan is available on the ONE RED Implementation Page. 

Contact

Email -- NDEE.ONERED@nebraska.gov

Or sign up for the ONE RED Listserv -- /resources-services/one-red-opportunity-nebraska-reducing-emissions-decarbonization/one-red-contact-information

Lean more about our other ONE RED Programs